• My location and what I'll be painting during the Whyte Avenue Art Walk

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Labels: newsletter

Photograph:
A dewy green leaf on the McKertcher family farm. I took this photo just after sunrise on June 19th.
© Anima

On my journey to becoming a better photographer, I'm setting some very simple, very basic goals. My plan: hone one skill at a time until it's instinctive.

Now that I've mastered carrying my camera around and taking pictures of everything that strikes my fancy, it's time to get really ambitious. It's time to work on taking pictures that aren't blurry. Don't laugh. Camera shake is a real challenge for me. According to my husband, Ter, my photos look like they were snapped during a minor seizure.

Why Such Blurry Pictures?

Apparently, there are at least 4 reasons for blurry pictures:

• The focus is on the wrong item
• The subject moves when the shutter is open
• The camera moves when the shutter is open
• The depth of field is too shallow

I'm going to stick to my one-goal-at-a-time/keep-it-simple-stupid motto and worry about the camera moving while the shutter is open.

Avoiding Camera Shake

Digital Photo Secrets is my starting point with these tips on avoiding camera shake:

• Hold your camera with both hands
• Keep the camera close to your body
• Bring your elbows to your side
• Hold your breath
• Lean on something for extra stability

I'm also trying these pointers:

• Keep your feet planted shoulder-width apart when standing
• Press, don't stab the shutter release button
• Don't move the camera for a moment after your shot is complete
• Take your time with each shot
• Practice

I keep reading that a tripod is the best solution, so eventually I'll buy one. But for now, I'll be avoiding blurred photos the low-tech way.

More Articles on Preventing Blurry Photos

Here are some other resources on avoiding blurry photos:

• Darren Rowse on How to Hold a Digital Camera
• Natalie Norton on 'How to Reduce Camera Shake - 6 Techniques'
• eHow on 'How to Avoid Blurry Digital Photos'
• Cameras.co.uk on 'How to Avoid Blurred Photos'
• Liz Masoner on 'Camera Shake'
• DigiCam Help on 'Preventing Camera Shake'

Related Articles

• 2 Step Journey to Becoming a Better Photographer

Share your blurry photo tips and stories.

Labels: photography, tips techniques tutorials

Photograph:
Anima photographing her reflection in the trailer window while camping at Miquelon Lake in May.
© Anima

There's a simple 2 step process to becoming a better photographer. Dozens more steps can make you a great photographer but these 2 set your foundation. They may be common sense but I'm only now implementing them myself. Once again, common sense proves not so common.

One thing I've never considered myself is a photographer. For about 92% of my life I've barely taken a handful of pictures a year, all terrible, with the occasional decent fluke. With the discovery of Darren Rowse's Digital Photography School, I'm inspired to change.

Besides slavishly reading through everything on DPS, the plan for becoming a better photographer is this: Practice. And more practice. Trips to Miquelon Lake, Crimson Lake, Montreal, Southern Ontario, and the Devonian Gardens this summer should afford me plenty of opportunities.

Photograph:
Two trees in a field of wheat
Photographed east of the McKertcher family farm near Milverton, Ontario shortly after sunrise on June 19th
© Anima

So what are the first 2 steps to becoming a better photographer?

Carry your camera everywhere

My camera is now crammed into my giant suitcase of a purse along with hand sanitizer, lotion, and baby wipes. (Those baby wipes are indispensable, even in my baby less state.)

Take your camera out of your purse and snap some pictures

Between just plain forgetting and feeling self-conscious and touristy, this is easier said than done. Your companions may wonder why you're photographing a random leaf or ceramic tile. Just smile and keep clicking. As artists, we're used to not fitting into the conventional mould anyways so what's the difference?

Well, my journey starts with these 2 steps. I'll keep you posted. Where are you on your journey to becoming a better photographer?

Labels: photography, tips techniques tutorials

Artwork:
Day and Night
© Anima
24" x 36" (60 cm x 90 cm)
Oil Pastel on Canvas

Introducing the fantasy painting pair of Day and Night and Night and Day! Here are two beautiful women, one white with pale skin, and one black with dark skin, in contrasting yet symmetrical surroundings of blue skies and starry nights.

There's more information available on Day and Night here and Night and Day here. Both originals can be purchased as of now.

I'm still unsure whether or not I want to release this pair of paintings in some form of a print but I'll update my website if I decide to. In the meantime, I'd love to hear your suggestions.

Artwork:
Night and Day
© Anima
24" x 36" (60 cm x 90 cm)
Oil Pastel on Canvas

Both Day and Night and Night and Day will be made into cross stitch patterns by Heaven and Earth Designs sometime in the near future.

So which one is your favourite and why? Remember to leave a comment with your opinion!

View more of my fantasy paintings of beautiful women here.

Labels: new art

My June Newsletter launched this morning at 7 AM MT. This issue includes:

• 3 new paintings


• What I'm currently painting


• My new artistic direction


• The Whyte Avenue Art Walk


• Abstract Landscape artist Mandy Budan


• Preliminary drawing for oil pastel paintings

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Labels: newsletter